Internet-based vehicle-diagnostic system

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/808,690, filed Mar. 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,611,740 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to use of an internet-based system fordiagnosing a vehicle's performance.

BACKGROUND

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires vehicle manufacturersto install on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) for monitoring light-dutyautomobiles and trucks beginning with model year 1996. OBD-II systems(e.g., microcontrollers and sensors) monitor the vehicle's electricaland mechanical systems and generate data that are processed by avehicle's engine control unit (ECU) to detect any malfunction ordeterioration in the vehicle's performance. Most ECUs transmit statusand diagnostic information over a shared, standardized electronic bussin the vehicle. The buss effectively functions as an on-board computernetwork with many processors, each of which transmits and receives data.The primary computers in this network are the vehicle'selectronic-control module (ECM) and power-control module (PCM). The ECMtypically monitors engine functions (e.g., the cruise-control module,spark controller, exhaust/gas recirculator), while the PCM monitors thevehicle's power train (e.g., its engine, transmission, and brakingsystems): Data available from the ECM and PCM include vehicle speed,fuel level, engine temperature, and intake manifold pressure. Inaddition, in response to input data, the ECU also generates 5-digit‘diagnostic trouble codes’ (DTCs) that indicate a specific problem withthe vehicle. The presence of a DTC in the memory of a vehicle's ECUtypically results in illumination of the ‘Service Engine Soon’ lightpresent on the dashboard of most vehicles.

Data from the above-mentioned systems are made available through astandardized, serial 16-cavity connector referred to herein as an‘OBD-II connector’. The OBD-II connector typically lies underneath thevehicle's dashboard. When a vehicle is serviced, data from the vehicle'sECM and/or PCM is typically queried using an external engine-diagnostictool (commonly called a ‘scan tool’) that plugs into the OBD-IIconnector. The vehicle's engine is turned on and data are transferredfrom the engine computer, through the OBD-II connector, and to the scantool. The data are then displayed and analyzed to service the vehicle.Scan tools are typically only used to diagnose stationary vehicles orvehicles running on a dynamometer.

Some vehicle manufacturers also include complex electronic systems intheir vehicles to access and analyze some of the above-described data.For example, General Motors includes a system called ‘On-Star’ in someof their high-end vehicles. On-Star collects and transmits data relatingto these DTCs through a wireless network. On-Star systems are notconnected through the OBD-II connector, but instead are wired directlyto the vehicle's electronic system. This wiring process typically takesplace when the vehicle is manufactured.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention can provide a wireless, internet-basedsystem for monitoring a vehicle. For example, embodiments of theinvention can access data from a vehicle, analyze it, and make itavailable to organizations (e.g. an automotive dealership or servicecenter) over the internet so that the vehicle's performance can beanalyzed accurately and in real-time. Data are accessed through the sameOBD-II connector used by conventional scan tools. In this way, theinvention collects data similar to those collected by scan tools, onlythey are collected in real-time while the vehicle is actually beingdriven. The invention also provides an Internet-based web site to viewthese data. The web site also includes functionality to modify the typeof data being collected, e.g. the type of diagnostic data or thefrequency at which it is collected. The data can be collected and viewedover the Internet without having to bring the vehicle in for service.The data include, for example, DTCs and mechanical and electrical datastored in the vehicle's engine computer.

In one aspect, the invention features a system for monitoringoperational characteristics of a vehicle. The system includes a computerin the vehicle, and a wireless appliance in electrical contact with thecomputer. The wireless appliance includes a data transmission/receivingcomponent, also known as a wireless communication component, configuredto transmit data associated with the operational characteristics over anetwork to a host computer system, and to receive over the network datafrom the host computer system.

In another aspect, the invention features a device for monitoringoperational characteristics of a vehicle. The devices includes awireless appliance including a data transmission/receiving componentconfigured to communicate data associated with the operationalcharacteristics over a network to a host computer.

In another aspect, the invention features a device for monitoringoperational characteristics of a vehicle. The devices includes awireless appliance including a data transmission/receiving componentconfigured to receive data associated with the operationalcharacteristics over a network to a host computer.

In a further aspect, the invention features a system for monitoringoperational characteristics of a vehicle. The system includes a hostcomputer and a wireless appliance including a datatransmission/receiving component configured to communicate dataassociated with the operational characteristics over a network to a hostcomputer. In some embodiments, the wireless appliance is in the vehicle.In certain embodiments, the host computer is external to the vehicle.

In one aspect, the invention features a system for monitoringoperational characteristics of a vehicle. The system includes a hostcomputer and a wireless appliance including a datatransmission/receiving component configured to receive data associatedwith the operational characteristics over a network to a host computer.In some embodiments, the wireless appliance is in the vehicle. Incertain embodiments, the host computer is external to the vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention can include one or more of the followingfeatures and/or advantages.

The ‘wireless appliance’ used in the above-described invention featuresa data-transmitting component (e.g. a radio or cellular modem) thatsends out the data packet over an existing wireless network (e.g.,Cingular's Mobitex network). Such a wireless appliance is described inthe application WIRELESS DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES, filed Feb. 1,2001, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the communication software supported by thedata-collection component features a schema component that identifiesthe diagnostic data to be collected from the vehicle's computer. Theschema component features an address that describes a location of adiagnostic datum in the vehicle's computer memory. It can also describea time or frequency that the data-collection component collects datafrom the vehicle's computer, or a time or frequency that thedata-transmission component transmits an outgoing data packet. Theschema component is typically an ASCII or binary data file that isconfigured to be processed by the communication software.

In the above-mentioned description, the term ‘supported’ means that anexecutable version of the communication software can run as a computerprogram on a microprocessor, microcontroller, or comparable,semiconductor-based device resident on the data-collection component.

The host computer system typically features at least one web-hostingcomputer that hosts the web site, and at least one, separate gatewaycomputer that receives the outgoing data packet and sends the incomingdata packet. In this embodiment the web site features a first web pagethat displays at least a single vehicle diagnostic datum. For example,the first web page can include data fields describing: i) a name of thediagnostic datum; ii) units corresponding to the diagnostic datum; andiii) a numerical value corresponding to the diagnostic datum. Multiplesets of diagnostic data, each received by the host computer system at aunique time and date, can also be displayed on the web page. The pagecan also include a graphical representation of the sets of diagnosticdata, e.g. a time-dependent plot of the data.

In typical applications the set of diagnostic data includes at least oneof the following: diagnostic trouble codes, vehicle speed, fuel level,fuel pressure, miles per gallon, engine RPM, mileage, oil pressure, oiltemperature, tire pressure, tire temperature, engine coolanttemperature, intake-manifold pressure, engine-performance tuningparameters, alarm status, accelerometer status, cruise-control status,fuel-injector performance, spark-plug timing, and a status of ananti-lock braking system.

In other embodiments the web site further includes a login web page, incommunication with a database component, where a user enters a user nameand password. The database component is configured to verify if the useris associated with multiple vehicles. If this is the case, the web siteincludes a second web page that displays vehicle diagnostic datacorresponding to each vehicle.

In still other embodiments the web site includes a third web page thatfeatures a mechanism for sending the incoming data packet over thenetwork. For example, the third web page can include a mechanism forselecting a new schema wherein a list of parameters is provided, each ofwhich can be extracted from the vehicle's computer.

The gateway computer that receives the outgoing data packet and sendsthe incoming data packet is connected to the network, typically throughan Internet-based connection or a digital communication line.

The system can also include a secondary computer system that connects tothe host computer system through the Internet to display the web site.Alternatively, the system includes a hand-held device, e.g. a cellulartelephone or personal digital assistant, which connects to the hostcomputer system through the Internet. The host computer system can alsobe configured to send an electronic mail message that includes all orpart of the vehicle diagnostic data.

In other embodiments, the wireless appliance is configured to send anoutgoing data packet that indicates a location of a transmitting basestation. In this case, the host computer system includes software thatanalyzes this location to determine an approximate location of thevehicle, which can then be displayed on a web page.

In the above-described method, the term “airlink” refers to a standardwireless connection (e.g., a connection used for wireless telephones orpagers) between a transmitter and a receiver. This term describes theconnection between a data-transmission component and the wirelessnetwork that supports data transmitted by this component. Also in theabove-described method, the ‘generating’ and ‘transmitting’ steps can beperformed at any time and with any frequency, depending on the diagnosesbeing performed. For a ‘real-time’ diagnoses of a vehicle's engineperformance, for example, the steps may be performed at rapid time ormileage intervals (e.g., several times each minute, or every few miles).Alternatively, other diagnoses (e.g. an emissions or ‘smog’ check) mayrequire the steps to be performed only once each year or after a largenumber of miles are driven. Alternatively, the vehicle may be configuredto automatically perform these steps at predetermined or random timeintervals. As described in detail below, the transmission frequency canbe changed in real time by downloading a new ‘schema’ to the wirelessappliance through the wireless network.

The term ‘web page’ refers to a standard, single graphical userinterface or ‘page’ that is hosted on the Internet or world-wide web.Web pages typically include: 1) a ‘graphical’ component for displaying auser interface (typically written in a computer language called ‘HTML’or hypertext mark-up language); an ‘application’ component that producesfunctional applications, e.g. sorting and customer registration, for thegraphical functions on the page (typically written in, e.g., C++ orjava); and a database component that accesses a relational database(typically written in a database-specific language, e.g. SQL*Plus forOracle databases). A ‘web site’ typically includes multiple web pages,many of which are ‘linked’ together, that are accessed through a seriesof ‘mouse clicks’.

The invention has many advantages. In particular, wireless transmissionof data from a vehicle, followed by analysis and display of these datausing a web site hosted on the internet, makes it possible to diagnosethe performance of a vehicle in real-time from virtually any locationthat has internet access. This ultimately means the problems with thevehicle can be efficiently diagnosed, and in some cases predicted beforethey actually occur. Moreover, data from the vehicle can be queried andanalyzed while the vehicle is actually in use to provide a relativelycomprehensive diagnosis that is not possible using a conventional scantool. An internet-based system for vehicle diagnoses can also be easilyupdated and made available to a large group of users simply by updatingsoftware on the web site. In contrast, a comparable updating process fora series of scan tools can only be accomplished by updating the softwareon each individual scan tool. This, of course, is time-consuming,inefficient, and expensive, and introduces the possibility that manyscan tools within a particular product line will not have the verylatest software.

The wireless appliance used to access and transmit the vehicle's data issmall, low-cost, and can be easily installed in nearly every vehiclewith an OBD-II connector in a matter of minutes. It can also be easilytransferred from one vehicle to another, or easily replaced if itmalfunctions.

The wireless appliance can also collect data that is not accessibleusing a scan tool. For example, data that indicates a vehiclesperformance can be collected while the vehicle is actually driven. Forexample, it may be required to collect data while a vehicle is drivingup a hill or pulling a load. Scan tools, in contrast, can only collectdata from a stationary vehicle in a service bay. Service techniciansusing the wireless appliance, for example, can analyze DTCs anddiagnostic data while the vehicle is being driven. The system describedherein also makes data available in real-time, thereby allowing thetechnicians to order parts and schedule resources for serviceappointments before the vehicle is actually brought into the dealership.

Moreover, software schemas that update the type or frequency of thevehicle's data can be directly downloaded to specific wirelessappliances or groups of wireless appliances (corresponding, e.g., to afleet of vehicles or a group of vehicles having the same year, make, ormodel). This makes it possible to collect data that specificallyelucidates a problem with the vehicle that may occur only under certaindriving conditions.

The resulting data, of course, have many uses for automotivedealerships, vehicle-service organizations, vehicle-renting firms,insurance companies, vehicle owners, organizations that monitor emissionperformance (e.g., the EPA), manufacturers of vehicles and relatedparts, survey organizations (e.g., J.D. Power) and vehicle servicecenters. In general, these data yield information that benefits theconsumer, vehicle and parts manufacturers, vehicle service centers, andthe environment.

These and other advantages of the invention are described in thefollowing detailed disclosure and in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention can be understoodby reference to the following detailed description taken with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of system of the invention featuring asingle vehicle transmitting data across an airlink to anInternet-accessible host computer system;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing a method used by the system of FIG. 1to diagnose vehicles;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the system of the invention featuringmultiple vehicles, each transmitting data across an airlink to anInternet-accessible host computer system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a web site with a login process thatrenders a series of web pages associated with either a dealer orcustomer interface;

FIG. 5 is a screen capture of a web page from the web site of FIG. 4that shows a list of customers corresponding to a single dealership;

FIG. 6 is a screen capture of a web page related to the web page of FIG.5 that shows diagnostic data for a customer's vehicle; and

FIG. 7 is a screen capture of a web page from the web site of FIG. 1that shows several time-dependent sets of diagnostic data from acustomer's vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an Internet-based vehicle-diagnosticsystem 2 according to the invention. The system 2 measures diagnosticdata from a vehicle 12 and transmits it over an airlink 9 to a web site6 accessible through the Internet 7. The system 2 functions in abi-directional manner, i.e. in addition to receiving data from avehicle, a user logged onto the web site 6 can specifically select thediagnostic data to be measured and the frequency at which it ismeasured. These properties are sent through the airlink 9 to thewireless appliance 13 that re-measures the diagnostic data from thevehicle 12. In this way, the invention functions effectively as anInternet-based ‘scan tool’ that diagnoses any vehicle that includes awireless appliance. The host vehicle can be diagnosed at any time it isbeing driven using an Internet-accessible web site.

The wireless appliance 13 disposed within the vehicle 12 collectsdiagnostic data from the vehicle's engine computer 15. The enginecomputer 15 retrieves data stored in its memory and sends it along acable 16 to the wireless appliance 13. The appliance 13 typicallyconnects to the OBD-II connector located under the dash in all vehiclesmanufactured after 1996. It includes a data-collection component (notshown in the figure) that formats the data in a packet and then passesthe packet to a data-transmission/receiving component, also known as awireless communication component, which sends it through a cable 17 toan antenna 14. To generate the data, the wireless appliance 13 queriesthe vehicle's computer 15 at a first time interval (e.g. every 20seconds), and transmits a data set at a longer time interval (e.g. every10 minutes). These time intervals are specified in a data-collection‘schema’, described in more detail below.

The antenna typically rests in the vehicle's shade band, disposed justabove the dashboard. The antenna 14 radiates the data packet over theairlink 9 to a base station 11 included in a wireless network 4. A hostcomputer system 5 connects to the wireless network 4 and receives thedata packets. The host computer system 5, for example, may includemultiple computers, software pieces, and other signal-processing andswitching equipment, such as routers and digital signal processors. Dataare typically transferred from the wireless network 4 to host computersystem 5 through a TCP/IP-based connection, or with a dedicated digitalleased line (e.g., a frame-relay circuit or a digital line running anX.25 protocol). The host computer system 5 also hosts a web site 6 usingconventional computer hardware (e.g. computer servers for a database andthe web site) and software (e.g., web server and database software). Auser accesses the web site 6 through the Internet 7 from a secondarycomputer system 8. The secondary computer system 8, for example, may belocated in an automotive service center.

The wireless appliance that provides diagnostic data to the web site isdescribed in more detail in WIRELESS DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES,filed Feb. 1, 2001, the contents of which have been previouslyincorporated by reference. The appliance transmits a data packet thatcontains information of its status, an address describing itsdestination, an address describing its origin, and a ‘payload’ thatcontains the above-described diagnostic data from the vehicle, or aschema from the web site. These data packets are transmitted overconventional wireless network, such as Cingular's Mobitex network.

FIG. 2 shows a method 21 describing how the system 2 in FIG. 1 typicallyoperates. As described above, the wireless appliance includes adata-collection component that, in turn, includes a microcontroller thathas software and a data-collection ‘schema’ loaded in themicrocontroller's memory. The schema is essentially a ‘map’ thatdescribes the data that the wireless appliance collects from thevehicle's engine computer, and its corresponding location in thecomputer's memory. A schema specific to a given type of vehicle istypically loaded onto the microcontroller before the wireless applianceis installed in the vehicle (step 22 in FIG. 2). During operation, theappliance communicates with the vehicle's engine computer as describedabove (step 23). The appliance collects diagnostic data defined by theschema, formats these data in a data packet, and then sends an outgoingpacket over the airlink to a wireless network (step 24). The networktransfers the data packet to the host computer system as described above(step 25). There, the host computer system analyzes the data packetusing a ‘map’ that corresponds to the schema to generate a data set(step 26). Every schema has a corresponding map. The map includes, forexample, a list of the collected data, an acronym and unit for eachdatum. The data set, acronym, and units are then displayed on the website (step 28) where they can be viewed by any ‘registered’ user (i.e.,a user with a username and corresponding password) with Internetconnectivity.

In one mode of operation, a technician working at a vehicle-servicecenter logs into the web site and analyzes the data set corresponding toa particular vehicle to diagnose a potential mechanical or electricalproblem (step 30). Specific web pages that display the data set areshown in FIGS. 5-7, below. Based on the analysis, the technician maydecide that additional data are required, or that data need to becollected and transmitted at a higher or lower frequency. In this casethe technician uses the web site to select a new schema (step 32) andthen sends an incoming data packet that includes a new schema over thewireless network to the wireless appliance included in the vehicle beingdiagnosed (step 34). In typical-applications, the vehicle isspecifically addressed using a serial number that corresponds to thedata-transmitting component. This serial number is typically an 8 or10-digit number that functions effectively as a ‘phone number’corresponding to the data-transmitting component. This number isincluded in the data packet, and is used by the wireless network totransfer the packet to the host vehicle (step 35). The host vehiclereceives the packet and processes it to extract the new data-collectionschema (step 36). The wireless appliance uses the updated schema toextract a revised set of data from the vehicle's engine computer, orsend out data at a revised frequency (step 38). In other applications,the new schema can be used to query a set of data that is relevant to aDTC registered by the vehicle, or to ‘clear’ a DTC when it is deemed tono longer be problematic. Once these data are collected, the method 21can then be repeated as described above to further diagnose the vehicle.

The above-described system is designed to work with multiple vehiclesand multiple secondary computer systems, each connected to the web sitethrough the Internet. FIG. 3 illustrates this point, showing a system20, similar to the system 2 of FIG. 1, used to diagnose a set ofvehicles 12 a-12 c. The system 20 operates similarly as that describedabove: a wireless appliance 13 a-13 c disposed in each vehicle collectsdata from the vehicles' respective engine computers 15 a-15 c, formatsthese data into data packets, and then sends the data packets usingantennae 14 a-14 c over a series of airlinks 9 a-9 c to a base stations11 a-11 b featured in a wireless network 4. Each vehicle may include aunique schema. In this case, two vehicles 12 a, 12 b send theirrespective data packets to a single base station 11 b, while a singlevehicle 12 c sends its data packet to a single base station 11 a. Thenumber and location of the base stations depends on the wirelessnetwork; in the Mobitex network there is typically one base station perzip code in most major cities. Once the data packets are received, thewireless network 4 routes them to the host computer system 5. They arethen processed with a corresponding map and consequently formatted as aseries of data sets and displayed on the web site 6. A series ofsecondary computer systems 8 a-8 c, 8 n view the web site using separateconnections over the Internet 7 a-7 c, 7 n. Users of the secondarycomputer systems 8 a-8 c, 8 n associated with organizations containing aseries of vehicles (e.g., a vehicle dealership) can view data from allvehicles associated with the organization. In contrast, individualvehicle owners can only view data from their particular vehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates this concept in more detail. The figure shows aschematic drawing of a login process 40 for a web site 42 that displaysdiagnostic data for a series of ‘customer’ vehicles associated with avehicle ‘dealership’. Within each vehicle is a wireless appliance thatretrieves data from the vehicle's engine computer, and then sends thesedata, formatted in a data packet, through a wireless network. The dataeventually are transferred from the network, through a host computersystem, to the web site 42 where they are formatted, displayed andprocessed as described below.

A user ‘logs’ into the web site 42 through a login interface 44 byentering a username and password that, once entered, are compared to adatabase associated with the web site. The comparison determines if theuser is a dealer or a customer. If the user is determined to be adealer, the web site renders a dealer interface 46 that contains, e.g.,diagnostic information for each purchased vehicle. Users viewing thedealer interface 46 do not have access to data corresponding to vehiclessold by other dealerships. If the user is determined to be a customer,the web site 42 renders a customer interface 48 that contains diagnosticinformation for one or more vehicles corresponding to the customer. Eachcustomer using the web site 42 is associated with a unique customerinterface.

FIG. 5 is a screen capture of a web page 50 included in the dealerinterface indicated in FIG. 4. The host computer system renders thispage once the user is determined to be a dealer following the loginprocess. The screen capture features a customer list 52 corresponding toa single dealership that includes: customer names 56 for each customer;a vehicle description 58 that includes the vehicle's year, make andmodel; a unique 17-digit vehicle identification number (‘VIN’) 60 thatfunctions as the vehicle's serial number; and an ‘alert’ listing 62 thatprovides a number of alerts for each vehicle. The ‘alerts’ are describedin more detail in the application entitled ‘INTERNET-BASED SYSTEM FORMONITORING VEHICLES’, filed Mar. 15, 2001, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. In general, an alert is generated whendata, sent from the vehicle's wireless appliance to the host computersystem, indicates either 1) a mechanical/electrical problem with thevehicle; or 2) that a scheduled maintenance is recommended for thevehicle. For example, the customer list 52 includes a data field 54 thatlists the user ‘Five, Loaner’ with an associated 2001 Toyota Corolla.The data field 54 also includes the number ‘1’ in the alert listing 62,indicating the presence of a single alert.

FIG. 6 shows a web page 120 that lists a detailed data set 122transmitted from the vehicle-based wireless appliance to the hostcomputer system. The host computer system receives the data set 122 at atime described by a time/date stamp 72 listed in the header 61. The dataset 122 includes a data parameter name 125, a corresponding numericalvalue 127, and a description of the units 129 of the numerical value127. As described above, these values are specified in the mapcorresponding to the data-collection schema used to extract the datafrom the vehicle. Some of the numerical values (e.g., the status of the‘MIL light’ 131) are dimensionless, i.e. they do not have units. Togenerate the numerical values 127, the wireless appliance queries thevehicle's ECU at a set time interval (e.g. every 20 seconds), andtransmits a data set 122 at a longer time interval (e.g. every 10minutes). Thus, the numerical values in the data set can represent‘instantaneous’ values that result from a single query to the ECU, orthey can represent ‘average’ values that result from an average frommultiple sequential queries.

The data parameters within the set 122 describe a variety of electrical,mechanical, and emissions-related functions in the vehicle. Several ofthe more significant parameters from the set are listed in Table 1,below:

TABLE 1 Parameters Monitored from Vehicle Pending DTCs Ignition TimingAdvance Calculated Load Value Air Flow Rate MAF Sensor Engine RPM EngineCoolant Temperature Intake Air Temperature Absolute Throttle PositionSensor Vehicle Speed Short-Term Fuel Trim Long-Term Fuel Trim MIL LightStatus Oxygen Sensor Voltage Oxygen Sensor Location Delta PressureFeedback EGR Pressure Sensor Evaporative Purge Solenoid Dutycycle FuelLevel Input Sensor Fuel Tank Pressure Voltage Engine Load at the Time ofMisfire Engine RPM at the Time of Misfire Throttle Position at the Timeof Misfire Vehicle Speed at the Time of Misfire Number of MisfiresTransmission Fluid Temperature PRNDL position (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 = neutral,6 = reverse) Number of Completed OBDII Trips Battery Voltage

The parameters listed in Table 1 were measured from a Ford CrownVictoria. Similar sets of data are available for nearly all vehiclesmanufactured after 1996 that have an OBD-II connector. In addition tothese, hundreds of other vehicle-specific parameters are also availablefrom the vehicle's computer.

The data set 122 shown in FIG. 6 represents the most recent data sentfrom the vehicle's wireless appliance to the host computer system. Datasets sent at earlier times can also be analyzed individually or in agroup to determine the vehicle's performance. These ‘historical data’,for example, can by used to determine trends in the vehicle'sperformance. In some cases data analyzed in this manner can be used topredict potential problems with the vehicle before they actually occur.

Referring to FIG. 7, a web page 130 includes a historical data set 132containing data parameter names 125′, units 129′ and a series of datasets 127 a-127 c transmitted at earlier times from the in-vehiclewireless appliance. Each of these data sets is similar to the data set122 shown in FIG. 6, but is received by the host computer system at anearlier time as indicated by a time stamp 140 a-140 c. For example, thefirst two data sets 127 c, 127 b where transmitted with time stamps 140b, 140 c of 11:42 and 11:52 on Feb. 12, 2001; the last data set 127 awas transmitted the next morning with a time stamp 140 a of 6:05.

Other embodiments are also within the scope of the invention. Inparticular, the web pages used to display the data can take manydifferent forms, as can the manner in which the data are displayed. Webpages are typically written in a computer language such as ‘HTML’(hypertext mark-up language), and may also contain computer code writtenin languages such as java for performing certain functions (e.g.,sorting of names). The web pages are also associated with databasesoftware (provided by companies such as Oracle) that is used to storeand access data. Equivalent versions of these computer languages andsoftware can also be used.

Different web pages may be designed and accessed depending on theend-user. As described above, individual users have access to web pagesthat only show data for their particular vehicle, while organizationsthat support a large number of vehicles (e.g. dealerships ordistributors) have access to web pages that contain data from acollection of vehicles. These data, for example, can be sorted andanalyzed depending on vehicle make, model, odometer reading, andgeographic location. The graphical content and functionality of the webpages may vary substantially from what is shown in the above-describedfigures. In addition, web pages may also be formatted using standardwireless access protocols (WAP) so that they can be accessed usingwireless devices such as cellular telephones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), and related devices.

The web pages also support a wide range of algorithms that can be usedto analyze data once it is extracted from the data packets. For example,the above-mentioned alert messages are sent out in response to a DTC orwhen a vehicle approaches a pre-specified odometer reading.Alternatively, the message could be sent out when a data parameter (e.g.engine coolant temperature) exceeded a predetermined value. In somecases, multiple parameters (e.g., engine speed and load) can be analyzedto generate an alert message. In general, an alert message can be sentout after analyzing one or more data parameters using any type ofalgorithm. These algorithms range from the relatively simple (e.g.,determining mileage values for each vehicle in a fleet) to the complex(e.g., predictive engine diagnoses using ‘data mining’ techniques). Dataanalysis may be used to characterize an individual vehicle as describedabove, or a collection of vehicles, and can be used with a single dataset or a collection of historical data. Algorithms used to characterizea collection of vehicles can be used, for example, for remote vehicle orparts surveys, to characterize emission performance in specificgeographic locations, or to characterize traffic.

Other embodiments of the invention include algorithms for analyzing datato characterize vehicle accidents and driving patterns for insurancepurposes; algorithms for determining driving patterns for use-basedleasing; and algorithms for recording vehicle use and driving patternsfor tax purposes. In general, any algorithm that processes datacollected with the above-described method is within the scope of theinvention.

In other embodiments, additional hardware can be added to the in-vehiclewireless appliance to increase the number of parameters in thetransmitted data. For example, hardware for global-positioning systems(GPS) may be added so that the location of the vehicle can be monitoredalong with its data. Or the radio modem used to transmit the data mayemploy a terrestrial GPS system, such as that available on modemsdesigned by Qualcomm, Inc. In still other embodiments, the location ofthe base station that transmits the message can be analyzed to determinethe vehicle's approximate location. In addition, the wireless appliancemay be interfaced to other sensors deployed in the vehicle to monitoradditional data. For example, sensors for measuring tire pressure andtemperature may be deployed in the vehicle and interfaced to theappliance so that data relating the tires' performance can betransmitted to the host computer system.

In other embodiments, the antenna used to transmit the data packet isembedded in the wireless appliance, rather than being disposed in thevehicle's shade band.

In still other embodiments, data processed using the above-describedsystems can be used for: remote billing/payment of tolls; remote smogand emissions checks; remote payment of parking/valet services; remotecontrol of the vehicle (e.g., in response to theft ortraffic/registration violations); and general survey information.

Still other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A method of monitoring a set of operational characteristics of avehicle, comprising: (a) wirelessly receiving, by a wireless appliancein a vehicle, a software component configured to identify a subset of aset of operational characteristics that are monitored by an on-boarddiagnostic computer of the vehicle; (b) processing the received softwarecomponent; (c) collecting from the vehicle's on-board diagnosticcomputer data for the subset of operational characteristics identifiedin the received software component according to a first frequency; (d)wirelessly transmitting to a base station the collected data accordingto a second frequency; and (e) wirelessly transmitting to a base stationdata indicative of the vehicle's location, wherein the softwarecomponent comprises an address that describes a location of a diagnosticdatum in a computer memory in the vehicle, wherein the softwarecomponent comprises said first frequency for collecting from thevehicle's on-board diagnostic computer data for the subset ofoperational characteristics, and said second frequency for wirelesslytransmitting said collected data to said base station, and wherein theoperational characteristics include at least one of the following:diagnostic trouble codes, vehicle speed, fuel level, fuel pressure,miles per gallon, engine RPM, mileage, oil pressure, oil temperature,tire pressure, tire temperature, engine coolant temperature,intake-manifold pressure, engine-performance tuning parameters, alarmstatus, accelerometer status, cruise-control status, fuel-injectorperformance, spark-plug timing, or a status of an anti-lock brakingsystem.
 2. A method of monitoring a set of operational characteristicsof a vehicle, comprising: (a) wirelessly receiving, by a wirelessappliance in a vehicle, a software component identifying a subset of aset of operational characteristics that are monitored by an on-boarddiagnostic computer of the vehicle; (b) processing the received softwarecomponent; (c) collecting from the vehicle's on-board diagnosticcomputer data for the subset of operational characteristics identifiedin the received software component according to a first frequency; and(d) automatically, repeatedly, and wirelessly transmitting to a basestation the collected data according to a second frequency, wherein thesoftware component comprises said first frequency for collecting fromthe vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer data for the subset ofoperational characteristics, and said second frequency for wirelesslytransmitting said collected data to said base station.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the software component comprises an address thatdescribes a location of a diagnostic datum in a computer memory in thevehicle.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the software component is anASCII or binary data file.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein theoperational characteristics include at least one of the following:diagnostic trouble codes, vehicle speed, fuel level, fuel pressure,miles per gallon, engine RPM, mileage, oil pressure, oil temperature,tire pressure, tire temperature, engine coolant temperature,intake-manifold pressure, engine-performance tuning parameters, alarmstatus, accelerometer status, cruise-control status, fuel-injectorperformance, spark-plug timing, or a status of an anti-lock brakingsystem.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising wirelesslytransmitting to a base station data indicative of the vehicle'slocation.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle is selected froma group comprising an automobile, truck, wheeled commercial equipment,heavy truck, power sport vehicle, collision repair vehicle, marinevehicle, and recreational vehicle.
 8. A method of monitoring a set ofvehicles, comprising: (a) wirelessly receiving, by a host computer,operational characteristics of a set of vehicles; (b) displaying, on afirst web interface of a web site, operational characteristics of asingle vehicle selected from among said set of vehicles; (c) displaying,on a second web interface of the web site, operational characteristicsof multiple vehicles among said set of vehicles; and (d) wirelesslytransmitting to each of the set of vehicles a software componentidentifying a subset of a set of operational characteristics to bemonitored by an on-board diagnostic computer of a target vehicle,wherein the software component comprises a first frequency for queryingthe vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer for the subset of operationalcharacteristics identified in the software component and a secondfrequency for wirelessly transmitting said data to the host computer,wherein said multiple vehicles are associated with a single entity,wherein said web site includes selectors corresponding to each of saidset of operational characteristics, wherein said software component tobe transmitted is configured to identify the selected operationalcharacteristics, wherein the first web interface comprises a first webpage that displays a vehicle diagnostic datum, wherein the first webpage comprises data fields describing: (i) a name of a diagnostic datum;(ii) units corresponding to the diagnostic datum; and (iii) a numericalvalue corresponding to the diagnostic datum, wherein the first web pagefurther comprises multiple sets of diagnostic data associated with thesingle vehicle, wherein the web site further comprises a login web pageprogrammed to accept user name and password inputs of a user, andwherein the web site is configured to determine whether the user isassociated with the first or second web interface.
 9. A method ofmonitoring a set of vehicles, comprising: (a) wirelessly transmitting toeach of the set of vehicles a software component identifying a subset ofa set of operational characteristics to be monitored by an on-boarddiagnostic computer located in each of the set of vehicles, wherein thesoftware component comprises a first frequency for querying thevehicle's on-board diagnostic computer for the subset of operationalcharacteristics identified in the software component and a secondfrequency for wirelessly transmitting to a host computer said data; (b)wirelessly receiving, by the host computer, queried operationalcharacteristics of the set of vehicles; (c) displaying, on a first webinterface of a web site, queried operational characteristics of a singlevehicle selected from among said set of vehicles; and (d) displaying, ona second web interface of the web site, queried operationalcharacteristics of multiple vehicles among said set of vehicles, whereinsaid multiple vehicles are associated with a single entity.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein said web site includes selectorscorresponding to each of said set of operational characteristics,wherein said software component to be transmitted is configured toidentify the selected operational characteristics.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the first web interface comprises a first web page thatdisplays a vehicle diagnostic datum.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first web page comprises data fields describing: (i) a name of adiagnostic datum; (ii) units corresponding to the diagnostic datum; and(iii) a numerical value corresponding to the diagnostic datum.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the first web page further comprisesmultiple sets of diagnostic data associated with the single vehicle. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein the first web page includes a graphicalrepresentation of a set of diagnostic data.
 15. The method of claim 9,wherein the web site further comprises a database component.
 16. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the web site further comprises a login webpage programmed to accept user name and password inputs of a user. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the web site is configured to determinewhether the user is associated with the first or second web interface.18. The method of claim 9, wherein the multiple vehicles are eachassociated with a single user.
 19. The method of claim 9, wherein theweb site is configured to be displayed on a hand-held device.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the hand-held device comprises a cellulartelephone, computer, or personal digital assistant (PDA).
 21. The methodof claim 9, further comprising sending an electronic communicationincluding at least a portion of the operational characteristics of thesingle vehicle or multiple vehicles.
 22. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising analyzing a location of the single vehicle and displaying thelocation on at least one map.
 23. The method of claim 9, wherein the setof vehicles includes at least one vehicle selected from a groupcomprising an automobile, truck, wheeled commercial equipment, heavytruck, power sport vehicle, collision repair vehicle, marine vehicle,and recreational vehicle.
 24. The method of claim 9, wherein the set ofvehicles includes a fleet of vehicles.
 25. A method of monitoring a setof vehicles, comprising: (a) wirelessly transmitting, by a hostcomputer, a software component, wherein the software componentidentifies a subset of a set of operational characteristics that aremonitorable by an on-board diagnostic computer of a target vehicle amonga set of vehicles, wherein the software component comprises a firstfrequency for querying the vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer forthe subset of operational characteristics identified in the softwarecomponent and a second frequency for wirelessly transmitting to the hostcomputer said data; and (b) wirelessly receiving, by the host computer,collected vehicle data of the target vehicle, the collected dataincluding the subset of monitorable operational characteristicsidentified in the transmitted software component.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the software component is associated with apredetermined group of vehicles.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein thepredetermined group of vehicles have at least one attribute in common.28. The method of claim 25, wherein the set of vehicles includes atleast one vehicle selected from a group comprising an automobile, truck,wheeled commercial equipment, heavy truck, power sport vehicle,collision repair vehicle, marine vehicle, and recreational vehicle.